Five years ago, Burma’s burgeoning democracy was upended in a bloody coup by the military junta.
A devastating civil war unfolded between the military junta— the Tatmadaw—and various ethnic armed organizations and pro-democracy groups.
Burma, the southeast Asian country also known as Myanmar, remains unsafe after years of internal conflict, forced displacement, and fragility from conflict and natural disasters. While elections were organized by the junta in late 2025, U.S. policymakers of both parties have been clear that these elections were a “sham” meant to legitimize the junta’s repressive rule.
The United States has offered refuge and temporary protection to Burmese nationals under various statuses. But the promise of those protections has been rolled back in recent months—to the detriment of thousands and the communities that support them.
Temporary Protection for Burmese Immigrants
Shortly after the February 1, 2021, coup, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designated Burma for Temporary Protected Status. TPS provides access to work authorization and protection from removal for nationals of countries experiencing armed conflict, disasters, or other unsafe conditions.
Several thousand Burmese nationals in the United States have relied on TPS for status and for work permits to support themselves.
In recent years, Global Refuge has joined civil society groups urging both the Biden and second Trump administrations to keep Burma designated for TPS—highlighting ongoing conflict, humanitarian needs, human rights abuses, and other forms of insecurity in the country.
In November 2025, DHS Secretary Noem announced she would terminate TPS for Burma, in part citing the junta’s plans for “free and fair elections.” Days before this termination was to take effect on January 26, a federal judge in Illinois delayed the termination while a lawsuit on the termination proceeds.
The status for nearly 4,000 Burmese nationals remains in the balance.
Pathways to Safety
For many years, Burmese have been one of the top nationalities for the U.S. refugee admissions program, the system that vets, resettles, and supports refugees in the United States.
Resettlement is an important durable solution for Rohingya Muslims from Burma, who fled acts of genocide by the junta in 2017 and have since remained in overcrowded camps in eastern Bangladesh.
However, the U.S. refugee program remains largely suspended under a January 2025 executive order and under a record-low admissions target for this fiscal year. Moreover, Burma was included in multiple travel bans the Trump administration announced in 2025—blocking nearly all entry of Burmese nationals from the United States.
Even if refugee admissions were to resume more broadly, Burmese nationals could continue to face heightened travel restrictions.
Permanency and Stable Status for Burmese Refugees
Burmese who have already resettled as refugees in the United States now face new roadblocks to permanent status and heightened uncertainty. Under a government memo from November 2025, all refugees admitted from January 2021 to February 2025 are subject to a pause on green card decisions—delaying their access to lawful permanent resident status.
Furthermore, many other applications these individuals have filed will be frozen under a separate government memo applying to nationalities subject to travel bans, including Burmese.
Lawfully admitted refugees have also been arrested and detained under Operation PARRIS in Minnesota. In one case, a refugee mother with a heart condition—admitted from Burma in 2024—was arrested while breastfeeding her five-month old child and subsequently transferred to Texas.
“While the Court recognizes that many families are suffering due to Operation PARRIS and other ICE actions in… Minnesota, there is something particularly craven about transferring a nursing refugee mother out-of-state,” a judge found.
How can I help Burmese immigrants and refugees?
In towns in Michigan, Indiana, and across the country, Burmese nationals are critical contributors to their communities.
Here’s how you can stay involved in supporting protections and pathways for Burmese:
Legislation
TPS for Burma bill: Rep. Huizenga, Republican of Michigan, introduced legislation this month to designate Burma for TPS, arguing “forcing Burmese who have legally taken refuge in the United States to return to an ongoing civil war is antithetical to the purpose of TPS.” This bill is HR 7014.
Burma GAP Act: A bipartisan group of lawmakers have introduced and advanced the Burma Genocide Accountability and Protection (GAP) Act as HR 4140. This bill would seek to improve the humanitarian response to provide protection, support, and assistance to Rohingya refugee and internally displaced people in Burma. Global Refuge has endorsed this bill.
Both bills are only introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, so use your address or ZIP code on the “Contact Your Member” field on Congress.gov to reach out to your House member.
Global Refuge will continue to monitor policy developments affecting Burmese refugees and immigrants and advocate for temporary and permanent protections for this population.
